Shakahola: New records show 38 children were buried between 2021 and 2023
The exhumation exercise in Shakahola forest on June 5, 2024.
Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie has marked his second anniversary in prison since the harrowing deaths of over 450 followers of the Good News International church in Shakahola forest were uncovered.
Mackenzie was arrested in March 2023 after the discovery of shallow graves in the expansive Chakama Ranch, where the doomsday preacher and his followers had migrated as early as 2020.
As he marked his second anniversary in custody, Mackenzie’s bid for temporary freedom was dealt a fresh blow when the court rejected his plea for a review of his bond terms.
Mackenzie's bond review denied
Kilifi suspected cult leader Paul Mackenzie (in white and blue stripped shirt) follows proceedings at the Shanzu Law Courts during the mention of his matter in this file photo.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku ruled that Mackenzie had failed to provide sufficient evidence of any change in circumstances since he was first denied bail in April 2024.
“The application for a review of bond terms is too generalised, lacks evidence of a change in circumstances, and is therefore denied,” stated Mr Ithuku.
This means Mackenzie and his co-accused will remain in custody until their case is heard and determined unless significant developments arise.
Through their lawyer, Lawrence Obonyo, the suspects argued that circumstances had changed since their initial bail denial, as witnesses had since testified and probation reports were now available.
He claimed these reports could favour some suspects. However, the prosecution opposed the application, citing no substantial change in circumstances.
They also raised concerns over the suspects’ safety, flight risk, and mental state, noting they had not undergone de-radicalization. Additionally, prosecutors found the application too broad for individual assessment.
Victim's records detail atrocities
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the court heard how records kept by a victim of the deadly fast had helped investigators understand the grim events that unfolded in the forest before the mass deaths came to light.
Moses Kahindi, a victim of the starvation cult, had meticulously documented incidents within the settlement between March 2020 and March 2023.
His son, Samuel Mwayaye, testified that Kahindi’s records indicated at least 38 burials, the majority involving children, between 2021 and 2023.
"This is a record of 38 deaths. The first entry was on March 14, 2021.
My father kept a book where he documented everything that transpired in the forest," Mr Mwayaye testified under the guidance of senior Prosecution Counsels Jami Yamina, Victor Owiti, Alex Ndiema, Victor Simbi, and Betty Rubia.
He recalled how his mother had handed him the records when he visited Shakahola, noting that his father had detailed the hardships they faced, including severe food shortages and emotional distress.
"I visited my father three times in Shakahola. The main issues I observed were hunger and depression. One of his greatest struggles was watching his family fall apart," he said.
Mr Mwayaye also revealed that his parents often lacked food and would occasionally reach out to him for assistance. He noted that his father’s church no longer stood, with only its foundation remaining.
Among the records was an entry dated August 7, 2022, titled Masharti Jangwani (Rules of the Wilderness ), which revealed accusations of some individuals engaging in devil worship.
On August 5, 2022, Mr Kahindi wrote that he had been labelled a devil worshipper, prompting Mackenzie to impose stricter rules on the settlement.
"Mackenzie called a meeting and put measures to ensure that everyone remained within their boundaries," Mr Mwayaye testified.
Another record, titled Waliovuka Ng’ambo Ya Pili Jangwani 2021 (Those who crossed to the Wilderness 2021), documented the names of individuals who had perished.
Kahindi diligently recorded each burial, which was referred to as ‘weddings.’
In the case of children, he would list the names of deceased children alongside those of their parents.
The court further heard how, on February 19, 2023, Kahindi and his wife, Joyce Kachi, attended the burial of four children.
Later that day, an argument ensued, and Kahindi assaulted his wife for failing to respond to him in front of their children—Posela Mwavita, 27, Gemnis Chenda, 24, and Rita Sidi, 16. He later expelled her from their home but apologised on March 9, 2023.
Heartbreaking family testimonies
Mr Mwayaye testified that his father left behind a final note, dated March 10, 2023, detailing his last wishes.
"In his final message, my father requested to be buried in Gethsemane and urged his children to avoid causing trouble. He also asked for his property to be divided among us," he said.
Shakahola had been divided into villages, with Gethsemane being one of them. These administrative units allowed Mackenzie to maintain control over his followers.
Interestingly, despite his detailed records, Kahindi never explicitly mentioned GNI, except to note that he had left the church due to the individuals surrounding Mackenzie.
"My father was no longer a member of GNI. He had joined Faith of Evidence Ministry before he even moved to Shakahola," Mr Mwayaye clarified, adding that his father’s decision to relocate was motivated by agricultural prospects rather than religious convictions.
His brother, Jimmy Mganga, also took the stand, recalling how Mackenzie had officiated their parents’ wedding before embracing extremist teachings.
"He officiated our parents' wedding in 2014 at GNI church in Malindi. Back then, his teachings were sound, and he was a respected preacher," said Mr Mganga.
However, his parents and three siblings later vanished into the forest, never to be seen again. The 32-year-old lamented that his attempts to trace them or their remains had been futile, as authorities had consistently informed him that crucial reagents for testing DNA samples were unavailable.
He revealed that his parents and siblings left their home in Sosobora Village for Shakahola in December 2020, shortly after Christmas.
"Before moving, my father sold part of our ancestral land to buy property in the forest," he stated.
Mackenzie and his co-accused are currently facing 238 charges of manslaughter following the deaths of over 460 followers in the Shakahola Forest tragedy.
bocharo@ke.nationmedia.com